Terminal Seduction

CHAPTER 1

Nalu's Point of View

"OMG! It's so init here, kuya guard." Sambit ng isang estudyanteng feeling maganda mukha naman pugita.

I'm Nalu Coleis, a transferee student at Harana Marangal State University. In contrast to the bright and contemporary schools that were springing up everywhere, the gloomy edifice of this school was really striking.

The walls were a drab beige color with spots of flaking paint everywhere. Each step made the floors groan, and the spooky atmosphere was heightened by the flickering lights.

The classrooms weren't better. Textbooks from long ago were stacked on the shelves, some with missing pages or out-of-date content.

But it was not just the physical appearance of the school that made it dreary. The atmosphere was equally dismal.

Well, no one finds their first day of school simple. The situation was like stepping into a foreign country where one wouldn't know anyone. I found that annoying unlike most people.

"Sana kasi di na ako lumipat ng school." I felt frustrated.

Sanay na ako sa magandang paaralan, yung kumpletong mga gamit at higit sa lahat hindi mukhang abandonadong eskwelahan na animo'y itinayo pa noong panahon ng mga Hapon.

I'm not a fan of this place, seriously. It's not comfy and I'm wondering why my mom sent me to this kind of cheap school. Hello! We're a known family and yet this is what I received all these years?

The guard opened the gate and I'm really thankful for it 'cos it's so hot in here, like an ice cream that's slowly melting on a cone.

Nakita ko ang mga estudyanteng may mga hawak na reviewer. They are actually preparing for an assessment. But me? Bakit naman ako magre-review. I know everything and besides galing ako sa private school. We are ahead of the topics and at the same time, ahead of everything. I don't need those reviewers. I can pass without it.

Tomorrow is our first day and hindi talaga ako excited para 'don.

"Hello, my name is Olivia Maeve. Olivia for short, and you?" Sabay nyang inilahad ang kanyang kamay sa akin. Look at what she's wearing. Seriously, sneakers and a skirt? Ang baduy mo naman.

"Ano ka ba, girl. Huwag ka na mahiya." Kinikilig na sambit niya nang iabot ang kamay ko at siya na ang nakipag kamay sa akin. Masyado kang makulit. Who the hell are you?

"Are you done?" Nakangisi kong sabi.

"Yeah. I'm really sorry. Natatakot kasi ako first day na, wala pa akong kaibigan dito." Dugtong niya.

"So, you want me to be friends with you?" I asked.

"Oo, kaya lang ang sungit mo e." Akma na siyang tatalikod, but I hold her hand.

Hey! Nalu, nahihibang ka na ba. You're not going to be friends with her. Look at the outfit. Napaka baduy and besides she's not as beautiful as you are.

"I'm not in a mood. First time in this kind of cheap school. My mother sent me here." I deeply sighed.

Napahawak ako sa tiyan ko nang maalala kong hindi pa pala ako kumakain.

"Saan yung cafeteria rito?" tanong ko.

"Sosyal mo naman walang ganyan dito sa school namin. Canteen ang tawag sa amin dito." Ngiting sabi niya. "Sumunod ka sa akin." She added.

I have no idea a canteen can look like this. Everything is included with an affordable price.

The canteen, a bustling hub teeming with the chatter and laughter of students, presented a scene of both chaos and desperation. Flies buzzed incessantly around the meager offerings, as if drawn to the stale air hanging heavily in the atmosphere. The sight was enough to deter anyone not driven by the pangs of starvation. With no other options available, I found myself trapped in the purgatory of the school canteen, forced to endure the unpalatable food and the deplorable conditions in order to satisfy my basic need.

But how can I eat those if there are flies around? Buti nasisikmura nilang kumain sa ganitong klaseng lugar.

Ilang estudyante na lang ay makakalapit na kami sa food section nang biglang sumigaw si Olivia, "Ate, isang toge nga!" Bigla siyang humarap sa akin, "Teka hotcake gusto mo?" I just nodded my head. "Isang hotcake rin, te!" Dagdag niya.

Nakita ko namang nilabas niya ang kanyang coin purse kaya dali-dali akong bumunot ng pera sa bag ko. "Huwag ka na gumastos. Sagot ko na." Iniabot ko sa kanya ang limang daang piso.

"Ang laki naman nito." Nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata nang makita niya ang limang daang piso na hawak ko na ayaw niya pa rin' tanggapin. "Ako na lang muna wala kasi silang barya riyan sa pera mo. Masyadong malaki kasi 'yan." Binuksan niyang tuluyan ang coin purse na hawak niya.

Maya-maya pa ay nakuha na niya ang binili niyang toge at hotcake.

"Pasensya ka na riyan sa nabili ko ha? 'Yan lang kasi kaya ng budget ko." Napakamot siya ng ulo niya at agad niya naman din akong inaya sa labas dahil siksikan sa loob ng canteen.

"So, bakit ka nga pala lumipat dito?" Usisa niyang tanong sa akin.